Abstract : This monograph addresses the question: What are the essential elements of operational design and commander's guidance that a campaign planner needs to produce an integrated operational concept for a joint campaign plan? While joint doctrine discusses operational art and campaigns, it does not provide a conceptual framework for planners to use in operational design. Although joint doctrine presents many elements and concepts in operational art the doctrinal publications fail to identify the essential elements of joint campaign design. This paper identifies those elements and places them in an operational and strategic context. The monograph initially focuses on the design of a major, conventional land campaign in a joint and combined environment. It then examines the theoretical aspects of campaign planning. Next is a critique of joint doctrine that illustrates the lack of a conceptual framework for campaign design. OPERATION DESERT STORM is then examined to determine what elements were considered in the design of that campaign. The results are compared to doctrinal and theoretical statements. This is followed by the proposal of a set of criteria to identify potential elements of operational design and the use of those criteria to test candidate concepts. The results of these analyses are a discussion of the essential elements of operational design and a supporting table of key considerations that influence the application of the essential elements of operational design and commanders guidance. (MM)